Syringe



F. E. BRONK June I5, 1954 SYRINGE 2 Sheets-Sheet l Filed April 8. 1952 INVENTOR. FAV E. BRO/VK l l l 1 1. A x.

HIS A TTRNEY Patented June 15, 1954 assures SYRINGE Fay E. Bronk, Rochester, N. Y., Aassignor to Ritter .Qompanm I no-,- Rochester, N- Y., a oorpoltation of- Delaware 11 Claims. 1 -This invention relates to the art of syringes, and more particularly, to syringes of the type including means for heating'a fluid to be projected in a inist or spray, such as the warm air syringes employed indental an'd'other medical practices, the chief object of the invention being to provide a syringe of such character having a more simple and practical type of construction capaole of operating in a more reliable'and convenient manner, lo these and other ends the invention resides in certain improvements and combinations of parts, all as will be hereinafter incre fullyY described, the novel features being pointed out in the claims (at the endof the specification. d

.Ithetmwings Fig 1 is a lfragmentary sectional elevation cfa syringe ,embodying the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a similar view showing portionsof the tact. shown in Fig. l;

ansverse sectional View on the line `view of a movable con- Eig. G isanenlarged sectional view of portion v' The embodilneiit'of the invention hereinrdis- Vclosed,"by oiillustijation, comprises, preferably, n elongated hodyindicated generally at YIll, A inc oingthe tubular handle portion or sleeve I l n ningoperating.nartsas.hereafterdescrihed hOne eid .of sleeve 'ill' has .Xedthereina head'lZ carrying a nozzle indicated vgenerally at .I 3, to -Whiohthe fluid ,is supplied through passageways .-ihfilgh .thesyl'inee body IS. Theother end of the body,y is provided with .conductingV means, lindicated generally at i4, adanted for connection with a sourcaoi air under pressure land `witha source of electrical current for operating'tlie `heatingmeans in the nozzle.

The nozzle comprisesan outer tubular casing t5 ,threadedly secured ina socket` inthe syringe the present invention. nir is supplied .to this heating means orunit. through a. Vpassageway I6 4 therein cormunicatingwithf a` passagewayin the bornand.isdistaenmough'app-envalveopen and the Contact closedas in nornial ydescribed.

y2 ing il .adjacent the opposite end of the heater Vinto a chamber lcommunicating Withthe inri'e'r end cfa nozzle tube il having a'di'scharge tip "20, the inner end ofthe tube i 9 being ydetach''ably secured to the casing I5 loyv any known or suitable iieans,`as welliunderstood in theart. IOne terrii- 'na'l 'of the resistance'eleineiit of this heating unit is"connecterl"with its" metal sleeve 2l Which'extends into thesocket'inhead i2 and is electrically' connected throughl associated parts with the head with handle sleeve v l il 'The other terrninalof the resistance element is connected with a 'metal post ZZ'eXtending from the inner end of the carrying a hollow metal screw cap through whichthe air `passa'geway I6 is formed. The heatingunitis 'seated inthe socket of tlie head za.f'a;r`ist a pair of washer's'Z-i of insulating material `bottomed in the end of the socket,` as

shownjrand tliesefwashers are secured to the cap ze bye. threaded out 2 5. fmaar in electrical cntactwith nut 25",is one end of a conductor"2`6 lvlloassing downwardly throughalongitudinal pas- Lsagewayul in the head andelectrically connected to oneendofasleeve 2 8 which is supportedin and insulated by a sleeve 29' of insulating mafterial'iitted'into theendoi'passageway Z'I'in the head. Sleeve Zafon/ ns one of the contacts ofthe switch controlling ythe lieatin'gunit which will now v.beldescribed.

The switch, controlling. the circuit ofthe heating unit comprises preferably the sleeve 28, station- .arily no'sitio'ned'inthesyringebody as alreadyde- ,scribed anda cov operatingv contact movable into ,and out of engagement with it as hereafterdescribed. Sleeve' has at 'its inner end an outwardly turnedinarrowa'nge 30 seated on Aanfontwarfelly:turne'df n ange 3l' of the insulating'sleeve 29. Flange 3| rhas.'retaining' rim 32 'spaced from .the 4flange iiofusleeve 2i; for a purpose hereafter U'Then'iovalole switcncontact is preferalolyprovided-Joyarnetalsleeve.33 v(Figs. l, 6 andfl) sliding in a bearing-recessz3g in a v.tumlar plugSE .ci insulatingniaterialnied in positionin the .handle sleeveitas hereafter described. Sleeve yhasa .longitudinally projecting rim 35p0sitioned for engagement withange 39 of sleeve`.28 as sleeve 33"is sliolA longitudinally of the bodyfin its bearinge. Thisrirn of sleeve `33 is formed withA notches 3i k(Figo) `for the passage of air through the body while the switchis closed as hereafter described'. "The` adjacent Vengl` oflsleel/e 33 is formed with aQcirumferential grocvees yforreceiving andholding one Tend of a coiledrcoirn accu/ice pression spring 33 having its other end in engagement with flange 3l of sleeve 29 in spaced insulated relation with the flange 3U of sleeve 28, in which position the spring end is retained by the rim 3i of the insulating sleeve. Spring 39 tends to press the movable contact sleeve 33 out of engagement with the stationary contact sleeve 2S and thus normally open the switch to break the heater circuit.

rthe movable contact sleeve 33 contains a part or plunger in slidable longitudinally therein and provided with a screw lll having a head i2 arranged to seat against a constricted or shoulder portion 43 on the inside oi the sleeve 33. Coiled in the sleeve about the screw is a compression spring Lit bearing against the plunger 43 and the shoulder 43 and tending to project the part or plunger iii! from the sleeve 33 until the screw head 42 seats upon the shoulder 43. It is evident that by turning and adjusting the position of the screw in the plunger, the extent to which the other end of the plunger is projected may be adjusted as required, for suitable contact with switch actuating means hereafter described. Spring 44 is preferably somewhat stiiler than spring 33 so that upward actuation of plunger 45 serves to raise sleeve 33 until its rim 36 engages the stationary contact rim 3D of sleeve 23, after which spring 44 yields resiliently while maintaining contact between the switch parts. The opposite end of plunger 4t is formed with a rounded nub 45 arranged to extend into a recess del in the insulating and supporting plug 35, as shown, for engagement with the switch actuating means. Plunger liti thus acts as a cushioning means and spacer for the switch actuating parts.

The switch actuating means preferably comprises also a plunger 4l slidable transversely or" the syringe body through the recess 45 in the plug 35. The plunger has at one end a cylindrical portion 43 slidably supported in a metal bearing ring :i3 supported and insulated in the plug 35, this end of the plunger being extended outwardly through an opening in sleeve Il and rounded for engagement by actuating means on the sleeve hereafter described. The other end of the plunger is formed with an enlarged cupshaped portion 55 containing one end of a coiled compression spring 5I having its other end bearing against a portion of plug 35. This cup-shaped portion is formed with one or more notches (Fig. 6 and '1) to transmit air pressure as hereafter described. The intermediate portion 52 of plunger 4l is tapered, or cone shaped, as shown for camming engagement with the nub 45 of the .movable switch contact to actuate the saine longitudinally of the syringe body as plunger 4T is moved transversely of the body. The outer end of the plunger 4l is spaced and thereby insulated from the edges of the opening sleeve il through which it slides, as shown.

The valve means for controlling the supply of aid comprises preferably a valve stem 53 of hexagonal shape in cross section and slidableV engagement with the end 53 of the valve chamber around the 'valve stein bore, thus forming a valve and valve seat controlling the ilow of from the valve cham er along the valve stem into the chamber fili of the plug 35 through which the plunger is movable. The valve head 55 is formed with a circumferential groove El] for retaining engagement with one end ofa compression spring iil positioned in the valve chamber bearing at its opposite end against a metallic washer 62 seated in the lower end of the chamber. This washer is connected electrically with one end of a wire 63 forming a part of the circuit for the heater. It is evident from the above description` that inward movement plunger il brings its conically tapered surface 52 into engagement with nnb 5d of the valve stern 53 so as to force the valve stern and valve downwardly away froinseat 53 and thus open the passageway for the flow of air from the valve chamber into the remainder oi the passageway and to the heating unit, as hereafter described.

When the valve is opened as described, the air flows from the chamber 5e along valve stem 53 into chamber 4e and thence through the notches in the cup-shaped end 55 of the plunger d3 and upwardly through a passageway E4 formed in the insulating plug 35. At the upper end of the latter the air enters a chamber from which it passes through the notches 3l in the rim 33 of sleeve while the latter is in electrical contact with the stationary contact sleeve 23. From the latter the air passes inte the inner end oi' chamber 2'! and thence through a passageway into the inner end of the heater socket in the head I2 from which it passes through the passageway i6 into the heater.

The air is supplied to valve chamber 56 through a sleeve t5 (Figs. l and 2) of insulating material fitted and supported in opening in a conducting metal sleeve @l which is iixed in the handle sleeve il as by means of one or more screws 98. The lower end of sleeve 56 is threadedly secured in the upper end of an opening in a conducting inetai sleeve $9 having at its lower end a nipple lil or reduced diameter for receiving the upper end of a flexible hollow cord or hose 1l secured to the nipple as by means of suitable wrapping 'i The other or outer end of the hose is adapted for attachment in any known and suitable manner to a source of air under pressure for supplying the same to the valve chamber and upwardly through the syringe valve and pasageways and heater as described above.

The electrical circuit wire 63 is led through the cord il from one terminal of a source of electrical current of suitable voltage. The other terminal ci the source is connected through the hose by a wire 'i3 having its upper end secured to and electrically connected with the metal sleeve titl to which the hose is attached. From sleeve 5i? the current passes through metal sleeve El to the metal handle sleeve I i. From the upper end of the latter the current passes to the head it and thence to one terminal of the heating unit as described above. From the other terminal of the heating unit the current returns, as described, through the wire 26 to sleeve 28 of the stationary switch contact. When the latter is engaged by the movable contact, in the closed position of the switch, the circuit continues through sleeve 33, switch plunger 40, the switch actuating plunger 4l, valve stem 53 and spring 6l to the assigns Washer\62 connected with the otherterminal' 63, to y"complete the circuit.

"The means for 'moving 'the 'actuating fplunger 48 comprises `preferably a thumbf lever"14 i (Fig. l) pivotally mountedat'lii on -a collarll suitably fixed -to the handle sleeve H. vLever A1li `carries a` block of insulating plastic material i1 in position for enga-gement with the 'outerend of the vactuating plunger 4-7, so 'that'depression of lever 14, by the thumb o'f the hand holding .the'instrument,serves to force the plunger inwardly against its -spring 55| vand thus open the air valve and close the heater switch. The :screw 42 of switch plunger 40 is preferably adjusted inits threaded opening to so position thenub-4-5 of :the switch plunger that the switch is closed shortly after j the air valve -is opened to 'prevent overheating of'the heating unit.

"It vis evident from the vvabovedescription that the air valve and switch are operatedby .plungers slidable in opposite directions inthe insulating plug v35 of the handle, by nreans of the single actuating plungerA and the thumb lever 14. The desired relativeltiming of vthe actuation of valve and switch is readily A.adjusted by turning thescrew 42 lin the switch plunger. The movements of the parts ofthemovable switch contact arecontrolled in-.part by .simple Vand inexpensive spring means adapted ito space the lparts vand. maintain connection withthe actuating kplunger 48,.asiwell .agstoiyieldon engagement of the switch contacts :to prevent interference with continuing movement of the thumblever 'h1 and .avoid injury to fone :of the parts. .The 'parts :generally employ a practicalsleeve and plungerrod .type I complishesits objects-and whilezit has been herein disclosed by referenceto'ithe details :of`a vpre- :ferred embodiment, it is to be understood that :such .disclosure is .intended Vin an illustrative, rather than alimiting sense, as'it is contemplated 'that various .modications .in the .construction -and arrangement of theparts will readily occur tothoseskilled in the art, withinthe 'spirit of `the invention and the scope of the appended rclaims.

11.:A syringe comprising :an elongated :body having a nozzle `at one end -thereof and afluid passageway therethrough Uprovided ywith means .atthe other end of said body for connectionwith :a source of fluid, electrical means for heating -fluid in .said passageway, circuit means .for said "heating'means including a pair of contacts :one 4Lovvhich is mcvabletoward and from` engagement withithe other longitudinali-y of saidbody, a valve .seat vin said passageway, a valve Amovable longitudinally of `said body `for .cooperation-with said seat, said valve being movable in the direction opposite the `movement 4of isaid "movable contact -for .opening and closing 4r'said valve-concomitantly with the closingand opening, respectively, of said felectrical circuit vmeans fand manually voperable .means comprising a plunger slidable transversely .-in said ibody 'for .conccmitantly actuating 'said movable contact and said valve for .supply-ing heateduidvfor discharge through fsai'd fnozzle.

TS2. A fsyringe Vvcomprising van elongated body .having fa xnozzle Aat one 'end Ithereof and a iii-luid passageway therethrough provided zwith means at `the otherfend of said'bodyforfconnection with a source of iluid, electrical means for heating fluidin said passageway, circuit means for said heating meansincluding alpair of contactsone of which is movable toward and from engagement withthe other' longitudinally o'f said body, a valve seatGinfsaid passageway, a valve movable longitudinally ofv said '-body for cooperation with i said seat, said valve being movable in the idirection opposite the movement of said movable lcontact 'foropening and closing said valve concomitantly with the closing andv opening, respectively, of said electrical circuit means and manually operable means comprising a plunger slidable transversely infsaid'rbody, 'and having a longitudinally tapered shape .for vwedging coaction with said movable contact and valvelto concomitantly Vactu'atethe samevto supply heated luidior dischargefthroug'h said nozzle.

f3. A 'syringe comprising an elongated body having a nozz'leat one end thereof and a `ifluid passageway therethrough provided with means at'the other-end of said body for connectionwith a source of fluid, electrical means for heating fluid -in said passageway, `circuit-means for-said heating means includinga pair o1" contacts one o'fwhich ismovable toward andfrom engagement )with the other 'longitudinally of 'said body, a valve-seat in said passageway, va valve movable longitudinally of said body for cooperation -with said se'at,said valve being .movable in the `direction opposite the movement ofrsaidimovable contact for opening andiclosing said valve ccncomi tantly with the closing and opening, respectively, of `said-electrical circuit means, manually movfable means-comprising a plunger vslidable 'transversely in said body, -a spring for moving said plunger in one direction and a thumb lever pi-voted on said'body for moving said plunger in the other directionlto concomitantlyactuate said L'movable contact and'valve'to supply heated uid Ifor discharge through said nozzle.

v1i. vA syringe comprising an elongated body yhaving -a nozzle at one end thereof and a 'Fluid passagewaytherethrough provided with means at the other end of said body for connection with a 4sourc'eof luid,lelectrical means forheating fluid rin said passageway, circuit means for said heat- 1ing `means including a pair of contacts one of :which is movable toward and from engagement withtheother longitudinallyof said body,a valve seat in said passageway, a valve movable longi- :tudinally of saidbody for cooperationwith said seat, A.said valve being movable in the direction opposite the movement of said movable contact .for'cpening and closing said valve concomitantly with the closing and opening, respectively, of'said electrical circuit means, manually operable .means comprising a plunger slidable transversely in said body .and having a longitudinally tapered shape for concomitantly actuating said movable contact and valve to supply heated iuid for charge through said nozzle, 'spring means for moving said plunger in one direction and a thumb lever pivoted on rsaid body for actuating said plunger in the othei` direction.

.5. A syringe comprising an elongated body having a nozzle at one end thereof and a fluid passageway therethrough provided with means at the other end of Vsaid body Afor connection with a source of fluid, electrical fmeans for heating ifu'id 'in fsaid passageway. `c'ircu'it 'means for -sa'id heeating means including a pair of contacts one of which is movable toward and from engagement with the other longitudinally of said body, one of said contacts having a resiliently yieldable part adapted to yield under actuation after engagement of said contacts, a valve seat in said passageway, a valve movable longitudinally of said body for cooperation with said seat, said valve being movable in the direction opposite the movement of said movable contact for opening and closing said valve concomitantly with the closing and opening, respectively, of said electrical circuit means, manually operable means comprising a plunger slidable transversely in said body and having a longitudinally tapered shape for engagement with said contact part and said valve, spring means for moving said plunger in one direction and a thumb lever pivoted on said body for moving said plunger in the other direction to concomitantly actuate said contact part and valve to supply heated fluid for discharge through said nozzle.

6. A syringe comprising an elongated body having a nozzle at one end thereof and a fluid passageway therethrough provided with means at the other end of said body for connection with a source of fluid, electrical means for heating fluid in said passageway, circuit means for said heating means including a pair of contacts one of which is movable toward and from engagement with the other longitudinally of said body, spring means for disengaging said movable contact, one of said contacts having a spring actuated part adjustably mounted thereon and adapted to yield under actuation after engagement of said contacts, a valve seat in said body, a valve movable longitudinally of said body for cooperation with said seat, said valve being movable in the direction opposite movement of said movable contact for opening and closing said valve concomitantly with the closing and opening, respectively, of said electrical circuit means, spring means for moving said valve to closed position, manually operable means comprising a plunger slidable transversely in said body and having al longitudinally tapered shape for engagement with said contact part and said valve, spring means for moving said plunger in one direction and a thumb lever pivoted on said body for moving said plunger in the other direction to move said valve in one direction and said 'movable contact in the opposite direction to concomitantly open said uid passageway and close said electrical circuit means to supply heated uid for discharge through said nozzle.

7. A syringe comprising an elongated body having a nozzle portion at one end thereof and a fluid passageway therethrough provided with means at the other end of said body for connection with a source of fluid, electrical means in said nozzle portion for heating fluid therein, circuit means for said heating means including a pair of contacts, one of which is movable toward and from engagement with the other longitudinally of said body, a valve seat in said passageway, a valve movable longitudinally of said body for cooperation with said seat, said valve being movable in the direction opposite the movement of said movable contact for opening and closing said valve concomitantly with the closing and opening, respectively, of said electrical circuit means, and manually-operable means comprising a plunger slidably transversely in said body for concomitantly actuating said movable contact and said valve for supplying heated iluid for discharge through said nozzle.

8. A syringe comprising an elongated body having a detachable nozzle portion at one end thereof and a fluid passageway therethrough provided with means at the other end of said body for connection with a source of fluid, electrical means in said nozzle portion for heating fluid therein, circuit means for said heating means comprising a pair of contacts one of which is movable toward and from engagement with the other longitudinally of said body, a valve seat in said passageway, a valve movable longitudinally of said body for cooperation with said seat, said valve being movable in the direction opposite the movement of said movable contact for opening and closing said fluid passageway concomitantly with the closing and opening, respectively, of said electrical circuit means, and manually-operable means comprising a plunger slidable transversely in said body, and having a longitudinally-tapered shape for wedging coaction with said movable contact and valve to concomitantly actuate the same to supply heated fluid for discharge through said nozzle.

9. A syringe comprising an elongated body having a detachable nozzle portion at one end thereof and a fluid passageway therethrough provided with means at the other end of said body for connection with a source of fluid, electrical means in said nozzle for heating fluid therein, circuit means for said heating means comprising a pair of contacts one of which is movable toward and from engagement with the other longitudinally of said body, a valve seat in said passageway, a valve movable longitudinally of said body for cooperation with said seat, said valve being movable in the direction opposite the movement of said movable contact for opening and closing said valve concomitantly with the closing and opening, respectively, of said electrical circuit means, manually movable means comprising a plunger slidable transversely in said body, a spring for moving said plunger in one direction and a thumb lever pivoted on said body for moving said plunger in the other direction to concomitantly close said electrical circuit means and open said fluid passageway to supply heated iuid for discharge through said nozzle.

l0. A syringe comprising an elongated body lhaving a nozzle portion at one end thereof and a uuid passageway therethrough provided with means at the other end of said body for connection with a source of fluid, electrical means in said nozzle for heating fluid therein, circuit means for said heating means comprising a pair of contacts, one which is movable toward and from engagement with the other longitudinally of said body, a valve seat in said passageway, a valve movable longitudinally of said body for cooperation with said seat, said valve being movable in the direction opposite the movement of said movable contact for opening and closing said valve concomitantly with the closing and opening, respectively, of said electrical circuit means, manually-operable means comprising a plunger slidable transversely in said body and having a longitudinally tapered shape for concomitantly actuating said movable contact and valve to supply heated fluid for discharge through said nozzle, spring means for moving said plunger in one direction and a thumb lever pivoted on said body for actuating said plunger in the other direction.

11. ,A syringe comprising an elongated body having a nozzle detachably mounted at one end thereof and a fluid passageway therethrough provided with means at the other end of said body for connection with a source of fluid, electrical means in said nozzle for heating fluid as it passes therethrough, circuit means for said heating means comprising a pair of contacts one of which is movable toward and from engagement with the other longitudinally of said body, spring means for disengaging said movable Contact, one of said contacts having' a spring-actuated part adjustably mounted thereon and adapted to yield under actuation after engagement of said contacts, a valve seat in said body, a valve movable longitudinally of said body for cooperation with said seat, said valve being movable in the direction opposite the movement of said movable contact for opening and closing said valve concomitantly With the closing and opening, respectively, of said electrical circuit means, spring means for moving said valve to closed position, manuallyoperable means comprising a plunger slidable transversely in said body and having a longitudinally tapered shape for engagement with said Contact part and said valve, spring means moving said plunger in one direction and a thumb lever pivoted on said body for moving said plunger in the other direction to move said Valve in one direction and said movable contact in the opposite direction to concomitantly open said fluid passageway and Close said electrical circuit means to supply heated fluid for discharge through said nozzle.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 742,305 Garhart Oct. 27, 1903 1,915,351 Angell June 27, 1933 2,085,470 Pieper June 29, 1937 

